flood
fluhd
Flood (noun) means an overflow of water that covers land that is normally dry. Example: “After the flood, the villagers spent days drying out their carpets and furniture.”
noun
1
An overflow of water that covers land that is normally dry.
"After the flood, the villagers spent days drying out their carpets and furniture."
"The flood destroyed dozens of homes along the river."
"Heavy rain caused flash flooding in the valley."
2
A large, overwhelming amount of something arriving all at once.
"The announcement brought a flood of questions from curious parents."
"A flood of tourists arrives in the town every August."
"A flood of emails filled her inbox overnight."
verb
1
To cover land with water, or to fill something with an overwhelming amount.
"If you leave the tap running, the bathroom will flood."
"The river flooded the low-lying fields."
"Complaints flooded in after the announcement."
How to use flood
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWater overflowing onto dry land, or a huge, sudden rush of something.
Common pairings
a flash flood
flooded with requests
flood the market
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Word forms
- Plural
- floods
- Third person singular
- floods
- Past tense
- flooded
Fill the gap
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After the _____, the villagers spent days drying out their carpets and furniture.
Etymology
From Old English flōd, from a Germanic root meaning "to flow" — related to flow, fleet, and flow itself.
Synonyms
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deluge
inundation
torrent
overflow
spate
downpour
floodlight
photoflood
alluvion
flowage
outpouring
glut
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for flood
See all rhymes for flood →Frequently asked questions
What does “flood” mean?
The word “flood” means an overflow of water that covers land that is normally dry. In plain terms, water overflowing onto dry land, or a huge, sudden rush of something.
How do you pronounce “flood”?
“Flood” is pronounced fluhd (/flʌd/ in IPA).
How do you use “flood” in a sentence?
Here is “flood” used in a sentence: “The flood destroyed dozens of homes along the river.”
What is the opposite of “flood”?
The opposite of “flood” — its antonyms — is drain.
What part of speech is “flood”?
Depending on how it is used, “flood” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “flood” come from?
The word “flood” comes from Old English. From Old English flōd, from a Germanic root meaning "to flow" — related to flow, fleet, and flow itself.
Is “flood” a common word?
“Flood” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “flood” have?
“Flood” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an overflow of water that covers land that is normally dry.
What is the difference between a flood and a flash flood?
A flood is an overflow of water that covers land normally dry, and it can build up over hours or days. A flash flood is a sudden, fast-rising flood that develops very quickly, often after heavy rain, giving people little warning.
What is the difference between a flood and a deluge?
A flood is an overflow of water covering dry land. A 'deluge' emphasizes a severe, overwhelming amount of water or a heavy downpour, so a deluge is a particularly heavy or dramatic flood or rainfall.
Can flood be used figuratively?
Yes. Besides an overflow of water, 'flood' means a large, overwhelming amount of something arriving all at once, as in 'a flood of emails' or 'a flood of applications'. In this sense it stresses sheer quantity rather than literal water.
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